Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessislaunched the official team jersey for the first edition of SA20 at an event at The Wanderers on Sunday. Joburg Super Kings also released the official anthem at the ceremony which also featured ExecutiveMayor of Johannesburg Dr Mpho Malada, Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki, Chennai Super Kings CEO KS Viswanathan,Joburg Super Kings Head Coach Stephen Fleming and Joburg Super Kings Head Franchise Ankit Baldi.
Faf du Plessis presented a special Joburg Super Kings jersey to Mayor Mpho Malada, the chief guest of the event. The Mayor presented the official playing jerseys to the Joburg Super Kings squad members.
Speaking about the jersey and the Super Kings’ connection with South Africa, Mr.KS Viswanathan said: “Chennai Super Kings has always enjoyed tremendous support in South Africa. The yellow brings familiarity to all our Super fans across the world. The green resonates with South African cricket fans.
“The yellow and green in the Joburg Super Kings reflects that there will be continuity from the Super Kings family and yet Joburg will be unique. We are happy to take our first step here and look forward to a long journey.”
Speaking about the anthem,Mr.Ankit Baldi said: “We wanted to be authentic to local music and culture.Keeping that in mind, the anthem embraces the same with sounds and beats from South Africa. Yet we carry our whistles everywhere we go.
“In fact, the whistles too have a big connection with South Africa. Chennai Super Kings’ famous Whistle Podu anthem was born in 2009 as a call-out for fans in India to cheer for CSK when the tournament was shifted to South Africa. Ever since then, whistles have been an integral part of the Super Kings. I’m confident the Joburg Super Kings fans will embrace the new anthem as well.”
Dr. Mpho Malada, ExecutiveMayor of Johannesburg, said: “I’m very happy that the Joburg Super Kings chose to be in Johannesburg. The yellow in the jersey is so close to gold; and we like to refer to our city as the city of Golden Opportunities.
“Johannesburg recently experienced floods that destroyed homes and infrastructure. Our residents needed a bit of hope and a bit of light. So it means a lot that Joburg Super Kings have given us something to look forward to. I wish the team all the luck for the tournament.”
Mr. Pholetsi Moseki, CEO Cricket South Africa, said: “Johannesburg is a lovely city. I know the Joburg Super Kings are going to love this place. They have the most amazing supporters at The Wanderers. On behalf of Cricket South Africa, I would like to welcome the Joburg Super Kings and wish them all the best for the tournament. I think the next two months are going to be crazy.”
The official Joburg Super Kings jerseys can be purchased from 11th January onwards in the following places:
Lotto South Africa online store, Sportsmans Warehouse stores, Sedgarsand The Cricket Company.